Compressed-air starting apparatus.



G. P. BUMP. COMPRESSE!) AIR STARIrG AFPARATUS. Allfucmmu Flu-:D Nov. 16. 1915. sEHEwE'D Aue.' 15, 1918. R'm.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

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.6. P. BUMP. COMPRESSE!) MR STARTING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILEDv NOVLIG, i915. RENE'WED AUG. l5. 19H3. 1294,87@ Peeentea Feb.1s,1919.

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Patented Feb. 18, '1919.

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COMPRESSE!) AIR STARTING APPARATUS. NPPLICATION FILED NOV.16, 1915. HEN'EWD AUG. I5, 191'8.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

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GEORGE I. BUMP, OF LA GROSSE, WISCONSIN.

COMPRESSED-AIR STARTING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1913.

Application iled November 16, 1915, Serial No. 61,794. Renewed August 15, 1918. Serial No. 250,081.

To all 'whom t 'may concern:

Be it known that I, Grenen P. BUMP, a citizen of the United States, residing at La Crosse, lVisco-nsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compressed-Air Starting Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is intended for starting oil or gas engines such as used in automobiles or used in stationary plants by compressed air and for compressing the air used for the purpose stated, the same unit employed for compressing the air being used as the motor clement inI starting the engine by the manipulation of certain controlling means by thev operator.

The said unit when acting as an air oompressor is driven by the momentum of the car or by the engine just before coming to a state oi' rest the power thus derived being sutlicient to drive the unit now acting as a compressor to store air under proper compression to be used in starting the machine.

The invention consists in the features and combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims. .i

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional plan view of an apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view partly in section of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2a is a detail view of a controlling valve.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the air compressing and motor element with one of the heads removed to show the interior parts, this view being taken from the left of Fig. l.

F ig. 4 is an inside View of port bed looking from the opposite direction from the view of Fig. 3.

Fig. is a side view of the clutch mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the controlling ports and frame work.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the controlling valve mechanism at right angles to Fig. 2.

The air compressing and motor unit A comprises a structure similar as to its main parts to that shown in an application for Letters Patent o-Ip the United States, iiled by me November 16, 1915, Serial Number 61.793.

It comprises two pistons 1, 2 each of segmental orm rotating in cylinders 4, 5,

which intersect each other, the paths of the pistons consequently intersecting. The air intake port is shown at 34 and the exhaust ports at 33, 39, said ports being provided with check valves. The pistons are geared together by the gears 9, 10 on their shafts 7, 8, which are parallel with each other and are mounted in the casing. l/V'nen the pistons are driven to act as air compressors the air is compressed between the horn or end portion of one piston and the cylindrical face of the other piston and is discharged through the valved outlet port. For instance as shown in Fig. 3, the air is being compressed in the space a and is being discharged through the port 38 and its check valve. During this time a fresh charge of air is being drawn in through the intake into the space 4 for subsequent compression. As the rotation continues the charge which has been drawn into the space 5 will be compressed between the horn c of piston 2 and the cylindrical side of piston 1 and discharge of this air will take place through the exhaust port 39 and its check valve.

It will thusbe seen that compressed air is delivered lirst from one of the cylinders and then the other through their respective ports 38, 39 when the pistons are rotated in the arrow direction Fig. 3 and when suitable valve connections are properly adjusted. For driving the unit shown in Fig. 3 and comprising the two rotary pistons to act as air compressors one of the shafts viz. 7 is extended as shown in Fig. 1 and has keyed to its outer end a clutch disk 6 having pockets 12 containing clutch rollers 13 arranged to bear on the inner periphery of an encircling casing or drum 14 which finds a bearing on the outside of the boss 15 formed integrally with one side or head 16 of the casing. This drum is driven from the enginel of the automobile or other part thereof by a chain 17 engaging a. sprocket wheel 1S formed with or mounted on the drum. W hen the controlling lever of the automobile is thrown into position to stop the car, the chain through a suitable clutch, at the same time is operated so that the iin-al portion of the motion ot the car or of the engine may be utilized to operate the air pump as above described to store compressed air in a tank ready for use in starting the car.

The connection for conveying compressed air to and from the tank is shown at 19. It

- a. rather and passage 3S@ common to both the latter ports. A ipe leads front the casing 2G 9' 'F controllV r valve shaft extending and having an ari. n ,is operated. 27 serves to hold the valve to its s( u pressing the valve shaft or stein longitudinally.

The rotary valve is shoivn in Fig. 2 in the position assunied by it when the Conipressed air is being delivered troni the pressure tanlr in the direction of arrouv a? to the easing containing the pistons for inalting theni act as niotor elements "or starting the ll'hen. however7 the valve is g'ven a quarter turn so that its conduit connects the ports Q1, Si" and the valve port oonneets with the outlet channel or port 3S and supposing the shaft T is driven troni the engine and the pistons 1, rotated to act as an air compressing punip air at rinosp ieric pressure Twill be dravvn in throua'i the pipe 2st, port 2li, conduit. 22, port passage 31X and inlet port Br past the che n valve located at said port and thus into the chainber #l or o, according to the relative po- 1 ions or the segmental pistons 1 and 2 and the air which is compressed by said pistons7 passes out through the port 38 or 39 as the case inay be, through the passage 3 X, ports and into the casing and thence through the pipe 19 to the storage tank.

check valve 2T is arranged between the n0 L0 and the pipe 19, said valve finding at Q8 and closing toward the valve 20. fhen the rotary valve is turned troni the position shovfn in Fig. in the 'erection et the i rrmv for storing air in the z nk the check valve will be allowed to seat eli being carried by a rod 29. rl`he valve pre ed by spring 31 on said rod hen nonv the air is sent to the tank the eelt valve vvill raise, its spring all vfing is action, a charge ot compressed air havi past-d the Check valve into the pipe 1Q ar d tanl; the cheek valve vfill close and hold this accumulated pressure ready tor use.

A. pipe 32 extends to a pressure `gage by which the pressure in pipe 19 and the tanh ean be seen. Then the pressure has reached a eerain amount a suitable clutch, not

shot n, may be throvn outo action to stop the drivnifT action nnparted through sprocket chai eratec autoniatieallly or manually.

i 1T and this clutch can l e opmeses/o shovv a linger connected to the rot-ary valve 30, Which is adapted to lift the check valve When the rotary valve is turned to allov: vthe compressed air to pass troni the tank to the rotary unit A to drive the sante as a inotor in starting the engine.

S taf/ting operation.

tir pressure having been accumulated in the tanlr through the inediuin of unit or eleinent A acting as an air compressing punip and the apparatus having corne to rest can be started by reversing the operations above mentioned and using the unit A as a inotor to drive the chain 17 and thus start the engine.

For this purpose the operator through the lever 2G sets the rotary Controlling valve in the position shown in Fig. 2, this saine act resulting in lifting the cheek valve 2? troni its seat and maintaining it in this position as long as the coni-pressed air is to be allou'ed to enter the unit il to drive its yistons 1 and 2. rlie compressed air nonY passes iroin the tanlt through pipe 19 past check va ve 2T, int valve easing 20,thence though port ELE, passage 34K and port 311 into the chamber i or 57 as the case may be, thus rotating the pistons 1 and Q, the air after having done this passing out the outlet port 3S or 39 as the ease inay be, to the connnon passage 33X, port 38a, valve passage 22, port 21* to atmosphere through pipe 2%.

T he pistons 1 and 2 in rotating drive shafts 'l' and 8 these being geared together at 97 10 and a pinion 33 on shaft S drives the ear vl-.O carried by a sleeve $1, turning l osely on the shaft 7. This sleeve has lcyed to it at i2 a clutch disk having :ets in which are seated Clutch rollers acting on the interior of the druin 147 tl clutch disk being arranged alongside the clutch dish o before deseribed.

T he pockets its* as shown in dotted lines,

o, have their inclined bottonis so disposed that with the clutch disk rotating in the direetion of the dotted arrow the Clutch ball will drive the druin 14 in the proper direction to start the engine through the .sprocket wheel 18 and chain 17.

l preiicr to provide loose guide or controlling pieces 15 for the clutch balls or rollers so that the balls or rollers Will be moved along the pocket.

t Will be observed that the drum 1% being journaled on the rigid bearing 15 fixed to or Jrorniing an integral part of the traine and being connected to the shaft 7 through the clutches the pull of the chain 17 vill not apply any sidethrust to the shaft T and thus the pistons 1 and 2 Will run true.

1t "vvill be observed that the pistons of the unit t Whether air compressing is being done or starting of the engine is being accomplished always rotate in the same direction.

While I have described that the air compressor is driven through connections, as the chain 17 from the engine, it will be understood that when the invention is used in connection with an automobile or the like, I do not limit myself to the use of a direct connection between the compressor and the engine of the automobile as power may be derived from some other moving part of the vehicle the momentum, of the vehicle being utilized to afford the necessary power to drive the air compressor during a suitable` period before the vehicle or engine comes to rest.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

l. In combination in a starting apparatus for engines, a unit having rotary means for compressing air and for acting as a motor to start the engine, said unit having inlet and exhaust ports, a storage tank for compressed air, a spring check valve for holding the pressure in the tank, said valve yielding to the air pressure passing to the tank, valve means for connecting the inlet port either with the atmosphere for the intake of air for compression or with the storage tank for the delivery of compressed air to the rotary means for driving it as a starting motor, said valve means connecting the exhaust port with the storage tank for the delivery of compressed air thereto or with the atmosphere for the discharge of the spent air and means for positively holding the check valve open when said valve means is operated for the delivery of compressed air to the rotary means for starting, substantially as described.

2. In combination in a starting apparatus for engines, a. unit having rotary means for compressing air and for acting as a motor to start the engine, said unit having inlet and exhaust ports, a storage tank for compressed air, a check valve for holding the pressure in the tank, valve means for connecting the inlet port either with the atmosphere for the intake of air for compression or with the storage tank for the delivery of compressed air to the rotary means for driving it as a starting motor, said valve means connecting the exhaust port either with the storage tank for the delivery of compressed air thereto or with the atmosphere for the discharge of the spent air and means for holding the check valve open for the delivery of compressed air to the rotary means for starting, said check valve being operated automatically when the valve means is operated, and operating' independently, of the said valve means during the pumping action, substantially as described.

3. In combination in a starting apparatus for engines, a unit having rotary means for compressingair and for acting as a motor to start the engine, said unit having inlet and exhaust ports, a storage tank for compressed air, a check valve for holding the pressure in the tank, main valve means for connecting the inlet port either with the atmosphere for the intake of air for compression or with the storage tank for the delivery of compressed air to the rotary means for driving it as a starting motor, said valve means connecting the exhaust port either with the storage tank for the delivery of compressed air thereto or with the atmo-sphere for the discharge of the spent air and means for holding the check valve open for the delivery of compressed air to the rotary means for starting, said check valve being operated automatically when the valve means is operated, by a connection extending from said valve means, said check valve having movement independent of the main valve under the pressure of the pumped air, substantially as described.

4. In combination in a starting apparatus for engines, a unit having rotary means for compressing air and for acting as a motor to start the engine, said unit having inlet and exhaust ports, a storage tank for compressed air, a check valve for holding the pressure in the tank, valve means for connecting the inlet port either with the atmosphere for the intake of air for compression or with the storage tank for the delivery of compressed air to the rotary means for driving it as a starting motor, said valve means connecting the exhaust port with the storage tank for the delivery of compressed air thereto or with the atmosphere for the discharge of the spent air and means for holding the check valve open for the delivery of compressed air to the rotary means for starting, said valve means comprising a rotary member having ports and an arm connected with said rotary member for operating the check valve, said check valve having movement independent of said arm to open during pumping of the air to the tank.

5. In combination in an engine starting apparatus a casing having intersecting cylinder spaces therein, pistons arranged opposite each other in said spaces, parallel shafts carrying said pistons, gearing between the shafts, a clutch member mounted on one of the shafts, a gear loosely mounted on said shaft and meshing with a gear on the shaft of the other piston, a clutch member connected with said loose gear, power transmitting connections and clutch means between said clutch members and said power transmitting connections, substantially as described. y

6. In combination in apparatus of the class described a casing having intersecting cylinder spaces, pistons rotatable in said cylinder spaces, inlet and outlet ports for the casing, a storage tank for compressed air, valve means for connecting` the casing with the storage tank either for charging the same or for delivering compressed air to the casing, parallel shafts carrying the pistons, gearing between the said parallel shafts, a bearing on the casing through which one of the shafts extends, a gear having a sleeve extending through said bearing and rotatable about the said shaft, a pinion on the other shaft meshing with said loose gear, a clutch drum mounted on the exterior of said bearing, power transmitting means connected with said clutch drum and clutch means between the said drum and the said sleeve and the shaft within the sleeve, substantially as described.

7. in combination in apparatus of the class described, a casing having intersecting cylinder spaces therein, segmental pistons rotatable in said spaces, parallel shafts carrying the said pistons, inlet and outlet ports for the casing, gearing between the shafts, a bearing on the Casing through which one of the shafts extends, a sleeve rotatable about the sha-ft and extending through the said bearing, a gear connected with the sleeve, a pinion on the other piston shaft and meshing with said gear on the loose sleeve, a clutch drum mounted on the outside of said bearing, clutch disks connected respectively with the loose sleeve and the shaft extending through said sleeve, said clutch disks having pockets and clutch members in said' pockets engaging the interior of the clutch drum, substantiallyT as described. p

8. In combination a casing, a pair of rotary pistons therein having intersecting paths and adapted to act either as motors or as air compressing and pumping means, parallel shafts carrying said pistons, a compressed air tank, valve mechanism between the same and the casing to deliver air to the tank when the pistons act as air compressing and pumping means and to deliver air from the tank to the casing when the pistons act as motors, gearing between the parallel shafts to rotate one from the other, clutch means connected to one of the shafts for driving the pistons for compressing and pumping the air and clutch means connected to the other shaft for transmitting power therefrom when the pistons act as motors, said pistons rotating in the same direction both when acting as a pump and as a motor, substantially as described.

9. In combination, a casing, a pair of rotary pistons therein having intersecting paths and adapted to act either as motors or as air compressing and pumping means, parallel shafts carrying said pistons, a compressed air tank, valve mechanism between the same and the casing to deliver air to the tank from the pumping pistons and to deliver air from the tank to the pistons acting as motors, gearing Kbetween the parallel shafts to rotate one from the other, clutch means connected to one of the shafts for driving the pistons as a pump and clutch means connected to the other shaft for transmitting power therefrom when the pistons act as motors, said pistons rotating in ,the same direction, both when acting as a pump and as a motor and said clutches operating automatically in releasing or clutching and driving and in opposite directions rotatively in respect to each other, substantially as described.

in testimony whereof, affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE P. BUMP. Wfitnesses EwD. L. ToLsoN, BENNETT S. JONES.

Copies of this patent may 'ne obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

